Parks Issue on Biosphere Reserves - by “Biosphere reserves: the network beyond the islands” is the theme of the first quarterly issue in 2001 of the quarterly journal Parks, the international journal for protected area managers, published by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) of the World Conservation Union (IUCN). More

Biodiversity Observations on the Internet (BIO)Fledgling global platform of biodiversity observations on the Internet, launched at an international workshop held in Bonn in December 2000. >> More info >> Go to website

Biosphere Reserves: Reconciling Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable DevelopmentThe World Network of Biosphere Reserves (currently, 408 sites in 94 countries) embodies a practical approach to one of the most important questions the world faces today: How can we reconcile conservation of biodiversity and biological resources with their sustainable use? >> More info >> Go to website

BRIM (Biosphere Reserve Integrated Monitoring)MABFlora and MABFauna databases are among the products of BRIM, which provides a framework for abiotic, biodiversity, socio-economic and integrated monitoring in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. >> More info >> Go to website

Conservation International (CI)Washington D.C. based non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of natural ecosystems and the species they contain. For several years, UNESCO and CI have been co-operating in promoting the biosphere reserve concept. >> More info >> Go to website

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)The aims of the CBD are ‘the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources’. >> More info >> Go to website

DiversitasCollaborative research programme set up in 1991 to promote and catalyse knowledge about biodiversity, including its origins, composition, ecosystem functioning, maintenance and conservation. >> More info >> Go to website

EcohydrologyBiodiversity in freshwater ecosystems and contiguous land areas forms part of the research agenda of work on ecohydrology within the International Hydrological Programme (IHP). >> More info >> Go to website

Global Initiative on Biodiversity Education and Public AwarenessAt its sixth meeting (The Hague, Netherlands April 2002), the Conference of Parties (COP) of the CBD adopted a programme of work based on recommendations and proposals of three sessions of a consultative working group of experts organized by the CBD, UNESCO and IUCN. >> More info >> Go to website

Marine Biodiversity and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission(IOC)IOC’s work on marine living resources includes collaborative studies on coral reefs, harmful marine algae and coastal biota. Also the promotion of broader approaches to fisheries management. >> More info >> Go to website

People and PlantsWWF/UNESCO-MAB initiative, in association with the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, to promote ethnobotany and the increasing involvement of local communities in conservation and sustainable use of plant resources. >> More info >> Go to website

Ramsar Convention on WetlandsThe Convention on Wetlands, which was signed in Ramsar (Iran) in 1971, provides one of the principal international instruments for the conservation of wetlands. >> More info >> Go to website

Ramsar-MAB CooperationJoint web site reflecting cooperative programme and shared-contiguous sites between the Ramsar Convention and UNESCO-MAB. >> More info >> Go to website

World Conservation Union (IUCN)The World Conservation Union brings together over 980 members from 140 countries, including States, government agencies and various kinds of non-governmental agencies, in a unique world partnership for conserving nature. >> More info >> Go to website

World Heritage Convention and Biodiversity ConservationThe World Heritage List includes such world-renowned sites as Bialowieza, Galapagos Islands, Great Barrier Reef, Lake Baikal, Serengeti-Ngorongoro and Yellowstone among its 144 natural and 23 mixed sites. >> More info >> Go to website

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)Since its creation in 1961, WWF has become one of the world’s largest independent organizations dedicated to the conservation of nature, working in around 100 countries and supported by some five million people worldwide. >> More info >> Go to website